DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARIÑAS

Dasmarinas Cavite, Philippines

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE & TECHNOLOGY

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MEET422L

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 2

FINAL REPORTING
PUMP PERFORMANCE CURVE

SUBMITTED BY
GROUP 1
CELORICO, JOHN MARTIN
CRISOSTOMO, HANIEL LARK
FINNEY, JOHN BARRY
OLAYVAR, JOHN ANGELO
MEE-42

SUBMITTED TO
ENGR. RENE RUBIO

DATE SUBMITTED: MAY 9, 2018

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Objectives………………………………………………………………………………………..3

Principles of the Laboratory Test Research……………………………………………….…3

Research Work………………………………………………………………………………….4

Laboratory Equipment and Accessories Used……………………………………………….5

Procedures……………………………………………………………………………………….6

Observation during the Experiment..………………………………………………………….7

Safety Precaution……………………………………………………………………………….8

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….8

References……………………………………………………………………………………….8
OBJECTIVES
 To create head, power and efficiency characteristic curves for a centrifugal pump.

THEORY
The mode of operation of centrifugal pumps is based on the flow principle. A delivery
medium (water) is set in motion by a driven blade wheel (1) with angled blades, which rotates in
a helical housing (2). The water is accelerated by centrifugal force and fed into the delivery pipe
(3). The outpouring of the water creates a negative pressure (vacuum) at the intake branch (4) and
the water flows through the connected intake pipe. Depending on the pressure difference to be
overcome, single-stage or multi-stage centrifugal pumps are used. Centrifugal pumps generate a
uniform volumetric flow without pressure surges, and consequently are the most common types of
pump used in conveying liquids.

FIGURE 1. Cross-section of a Centrifugal Pump

The operating characteristics of a centrifugal pump may be described or illustrated by using

graphs of pump performance (See FIGURE 2). The three most commonly used graphical
representations of pump performance are:

 Change in total head produced by the pump, Ht

 Power input to the pump, Pm
 Pump efficiency, E
 FIGURE 2. Characteristic Curve of a Centrifugal Pump
RESEARCH WORK

CALCULATION FOR DIFFERENT PARAMETERS

The change in total head produced as a result of the work done by pump can be calculated
as:
Ht = Change in pressure head + change in velocity head + change in elevation = hs + hv + he
Where:

Hs = Change in pressure head =

Where Pin is the fluid pressure at inlet in Pa and Pout is the fluid pressure at outlet in Pa.

Hv = Change in velocity head =

Where Vin is the fluid velocity at inlet in m/s and Vout is the fluid velocity at outlet in m/s.
He = Change in elevation.
The mechanical power input to the pump may be calculated as:
Pm = rotational force x angular distance = 2.π.n.t/60
where n is the rotational speed of pump in revolutions per minute and t is the shaft torque in N.m .
The efficiency of the pump may be calculated as :

Where Q is the volume flow rate in m3/s, and Pm is the mechanical power absorbed by pump:
Each of these parameters is measured at constant pump speed, and is plotted against the volume
flow rate Q through the pump.
LABORATORY APPARATUS USED IN THE EXPERIMENT
Table 1. Equipment used in the experiment
Quantity Equipment Description
1 Centrifugal Pump Demonstration A miniature representation of a
(See FIGURE 3) centrifugal pump process.
1 Interface Device Any centrifugal software for pump
(See FIGURE 4) performance identification.
1 Desktop Computer A beaker is a generally cylindrical
(See FIGURE 5) container with a flat bottom. Most also
have a small spout to aid pouring

FIGURE 3. FIGURE 4. Software Interface

Centrifugal Pump
Demonstration

FIGURE 5.
DESKTOP
COMPUTER
PROCEDURES
A. Equipment Set up
If the equipment is not yet ready for use, proceed as follows:
1. Ensure the drain valve is fully closed.
2. If necessary, fill the reservoir to within 20cm of the top rim.
3. Ensure the inlet valve and gate valve are both fully open.
4. Ensure the equipment is connected to the interface device and the interface device is
connected to a suitable PC. The red and green indicator lights on the interface device should
both be illuminated.
5. Ensure the interface device is connected to an appropriate mains supply, and switch on
the supply.
6. Run the software. Check that 'IFD: OK' is displayed in the bottom right corner of the
screen and that there are values displayed in all the sensor display boxes on the mimic
diagram.
B. Operating of Software
1. Switch on the interface device, then switch on the pump within the software using the
pump on/standby button.
2. Using the software, set the speed to 80%. The interface will increase the pump speed
until it reaches the required setting. Allow water to circulate until all air has been flushed
from the system. Slightly closing and opening the inlet valve and gate valve a few times
will help in priming the system and eliminating any bubbles caught within the valve
mechanism. Leave the inlet valve fully open.
3. In the results table, rename the spreadsheet (Select Format > Rename Sheet) to 80%.
4. Close the gate valve to give a flow rate Q of 0. (Note that the pump will not run well
with the gate valve closed or nearly closed, as the back pressure produced is outside normal
operating parameters. The pump should begin to run more smoothly as the experiment
progresses).
5. Select the (Go) icon to record the sensor readings and pump settings on the results table
of the software.
6. Open the gate valve to allow a low flow rate. Allow sufficient time for the sensor
readings to stabilise then select the (Go) icon to record the next set of data.
7. Increase the flow in small increments, allowing the sensor readings to stabilise then
recording the sensor and pump data each time.
 8. Using the arrow buttons on the software display, reduce the pump speed to 0%. Select
"Save" or "Save as…" from the "file" menu and save the results with a suitable file name.
9. Switch off the pump within the software using the power on/standby button, then switch
off the interface device and close the software.

OBSERVATION DURING THE EXPERIMENT

FIGURE 6. Graph of the result of the experiment

Using the graph facility, plot a graph of head against flow rate. On the secondary axis plot
a graph of mechanical power and efficiency against flow rate.

Examining Figure 6, the general performance of the pump can be determined.

The Ht-Q curve shows the relationship between head and flow rate. The head decreases as
flow rate increases. This type of curve is referred to as a rising characteristic curve. A stable head-
capacity characteristic curve is one in which there is only one possible flow rate for a given head,
as in the example here.

The Pm-Q curve shows the relationship between the power input to the pump and the
change in flow rate through the pump. Outside the optimum operating range of the pump this curve
flattens, so that a large change in pump power produces only a small change in flow velocity.

The E-Q curve shows the pump capacity at which the pump operates most efficiently. In
the example here, the optimum operating capacity is 0.7 dm3/s, which would give a head of 1.2m.
When selecting a pump for an application where the typical operating capacity is known, a pump
should be selected so that its optimum efficiency is at or very near that capacity.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

 No horse playing.
 Be careful when handling the glassware.
 Always set aside equipment and materials that are not being used.

CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that pump characteristics can be plotted through different curves. Ht-
Q curve, Pm-Q curve, and E-Q curve shows the following relationship between two parameters
involved in pumps. By using these curves, choosing the appropriate pump to be used in a specific
operation can be identified. It can also be used to avoid unacceptable cavitation. The effect of
cavitation is extra wearing of the pump. The bubbles that are formed at the suction side of the
pump will be pressurized at the outlet side. The pressurized bubbles will act as actual grains or
small stones and wear the material out.
REFERENCES
 Munson, B. et al: Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, Wiley
 Potter, M. and Wiggert, D.: Mechanics of Fluids, Prentice Hall
 White, F.: Fluid Mechanics, McGraw-Hill